U.S. patent application number 09/946609 was filed with the patent office on 2002-04-04 for readable information production system and digital content delivery system.
This patent application is currently assigned to SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Tanaka, Toshio.
Application Number | 20020040320 09/946609 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18756869 |
Filed Date | 2002-04-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020040320 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tanaka, Toshio |
April 4, 2002 |
Readable information production system and digital content delivery
system
Abstract
To provide a digital content delivery system appropriate for
outputting a digital content in an easy-to-see layout to a user. A
content delivery terminal 100 includes a user information
registration DB 40 storing a plurality of layout definition files
defining output layouts of digital contents. When user information
including a destination address and a selection of an output layout
are input, the input user information is associated with the
selected layout definition file before the input user information
and the layout definition file are registered in the user
information registration DB 40. Based on the layout definition file
in the user information registration DB 40, the output layout of a
digital content is determined, and the digital content is produced.
The produced digital content is delivered to a destination address
corresponding to the layout definition file used to produce the
digital content.
Inventors: |
Tanaka, Toshio;
(Shiojiri-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLIFF & BERRIDGE, PLC
P.O. BOX 19928
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22320
US
|
Assignee: |
SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
4-1, Nishishinjuku 2-chome Shinjuku-ku
Tokyo
JP
163-0811
|
Family ID: |
18756869 |
Appl. No.: |
09/946609 |
Filed: |
September 6, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 ;
707/999.104; 707/E17.121 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10S 707/99945 20130101;
G06F 16/9577 20190101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/14 |
International
Class: |
G06F 017/60 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 6, 2000 |
JP |
2000-270429 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A readable information production system for delivering readable
information, comprising layout information storage means for
storing a plurality of pieces of layout information relating to an
output layout of readable information, wherein, to produce the
readable information, the readable information production system
enters user information and a selection of layout information,
registers, in the layout information storage means, the input user
information and the selected layout information with the user
information being associated with the layout information, and
determines an output layout of the readable information based on
the layout information in the layout information storage means.
2. A readable information production system according to claim 1,
further comprising readable information storage means for storing a
plurality of pieces of readable information, wherein the user
information includes information relating to readable information
desired by a user, and wherein, to produce the readable
information, the readable information production system reads, from
the layout information storage means, the information relating to
the desired readable information and the layout information
corresponding to the information relating to the desired readable
information, selects the readable information from the readable
information storage means based on the read information relating to
the desired readable information, and determines an output layout
for the selected readable information based on the read layout
information.
3. A digital content delivery system for delivering a digital
content, comprising layout information storage means for storing a
plurality of pieces of layout information relating to an output
layout of the digital content, input means for inputting user
information containing a destination address of the digital content
and a selection of the layout information, registering means for
registering, in the layout information storage means, the user
information input by the input means and the layout information
selected by the input means with the user information being
associated with the layout information, content production means
for producing the digital content by determining the output layout
of the digital content based on the layout information in the
layout information storage means, and content delivery means for
delivering the digital content which is produced by the content
production means in accordance with the destination address
responsive to the layout information produced by the content
production means.
4. A digital content delivery system according to claim 3, further
comprising content storage means for storing a plurality of digital
contents, wherein the user information includes content information
relating to a digital content the delivery of which is desired by a
user, and wherein, to produce a digital content, the content
production means reads, from the layout information storage means,
the content information and the layout information corresponding to
the content information, selects the digital content from the
content storage means based on the read content information, and
determines an output layout for the selected digital content, based
on the read layout information.
5. A digital content delivery system according to one of claims 3
and 4, wherein the user information contains schedule information
relating to a time band in which a user desires delivery, and
wherein the content delivery means delivers the digital content
produced in the content production means in accordance with the
schedule information corresponding to the layout information
produced by the content production means.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a system for delivering a
digital content and, more particularly, to a readable information
production system and a digital content delivery system,
appropriate for outputting digital contents in an easy-to-see
layout to users.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application
Publication No. 4-192751 discloses an electronic newspaper system
intended to be accessed by individuals (hereinafter referred to as
a first conventional art) as a system for providing digital
contents such as news. Further, Japanese Unexamined Patent
Application Publication No. 7-200701 discloses a mail-order sale
catalog production system (hereinafter referred to as a second
conventional art) as a technique for providing digital
contents.
[0005] The electronic newspaper system of the first conventional
art, which receives news information transmitted from a news
information data base that stores news information of newspapers,
and displays the news information on a screen in a reorganized
form, includes an information storage unit for storing interest and
knowledge, owned by a plurality of users, as page layout
information intended for a plurality of individuals, a learning
unit for learning the page layout information intended for the
individuals from the history of searches performed by each user, a
screen control unit which controls a screen to acquire the page
layout information intended for the individuals, reorganizes
newspaper information in accordance with each user from the data
base, based on the page layout information intended for the
individuals, and displays the reorganized newspaper information,
and a management unit for managing the information storage unit,
the learning unit, and the screen control unit.
[0006] In this arrangement, the newspaper information is easily
acquired according to the interest and knowledge of each user's,
and more detailed newspaper information is thus provided.
[0007] The mail-order sale catalog production system of the second
conventional art prepares a product information file holding
product information (photographs and illustrations of products, and
the description thereof) to be stated in a catalog for each
product, a customer information file holding private information
relating to particular attributes of each customer, and a product
criterion file that sets, to each product, a criterion which
matches each attribute of the private information. A listed product
extraction unit compares the private information in the customer
information file with the criterion in the product criterion file,
and extracts only products that match the criterion of each
customer. A layout processing unit reads and lays out production
information of extracted products. An electronic color printer
prints out the laid-out product information on a sheet of paper.
The sheets are book-bound into a booklet, which is then sent to
individual customers as a catalog.
[0008] A catalog unique to each customer having only products
matching the customer's preference is thus produced.
[0009] Most of newspaper information delivered by a digital content
delivery system typically includes text information like news
information delivered in an electronic mail form. This is because a
vast amount of data cannot be transmitted within an available time
due to a slow rate of data transmission over a network, etc. For
this reason, in many cases, it suffices to read newspaper
information on a screen, and there is no much need for printing out
the newspaper information. Even if the newspaper information is
printed out, a user simply reads a text portion, not very much
concerned with the layout thereof. Since the data transmission rate
over a network is increasing currently, not only text information
but also picture information can also be delivered. When reading
the newspaper information on a screen, users experience difficulty
to come grips with the entire newspaper information, and thus
possibly desire to see the delivered newspaper information on a
printed sheet.
[0010] In the first conventional art, a WWW browser or the like may
be used to read the newspaper information. With the WWW browser, if
the newspaper information displayed on screen is printed, a single
piece of newspaper information may be printed straddling a
plurality of sheets, rather than on a single sheet, and a user may
experience difficulty to see printout results. Particularly when a
single piece of newspaper information is composed of a picture and
text information, the picture may be printed on a sheet different
from a sheet on which the text information is printed. In such a
case, the user has difficulty in coming grips with the
correspondence between the text information and the picture. The
user is thus unable to understand not only the newspaper
information as a whole, but also the contents of individual pieces
of information themselves.
[0011] In the digital content delivery system of the second
conventional art, the above problem is resolved to some degree when
the product information of an extracted product is read and laid
out. However, the output layout of the catalog is determined by the
provider of the catalog. The catalog is printed out in a
predetermined output layout which is easy to see. Although the
catalog is easy to see on the average, not all the users find it to
easy to see. Specifically, one user may find the text information
printed in a large font easy to see, while another user may find,
easy to see, a catalog in which a layout portion assigned to text
information is set to be smaller while a layout portion assigned to
a picture is set to be larger.
[0012] The present invention has been developed in view of
unresolved problems in the conventional art, and it is an object of
the present invention to provide a readable information production
system and a digital content delivery system, appropriate for
outputting digital contents in a layout the user finds easy to
see.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] To achieve the above object, a readable information
production system of the present invention as recited in claim 1,
for delivering readable information, includes layout information
storage means for storing a plurality of pieces of layout
information relating to an output layout of readable information,
wherein, to produce the readable information, the readable
information production system enters user information and a
selection of layout information, registers, in the layout
information storage means, the input user information and the
selected layout information with the user information being
associated with the layout information, and determines an output
layout of the readable information based on the layout information
in the layout information storage means.
[0014] When the user information and the selection of the layout
information in this arrangement are input, the user information is
associated with the layout information and is then registered in
the layout information storage means. Based on the layout
information in the layout information storage means, the output
layout of the readable information is determined and the readable
information is thus produced.
[0015] The readable information is thus output in the output layout
relatively close to the user's satisfaction. The readable
information is thus output in an output layout in an easy-to-see
fashion to the user.
[0016] The system may be implemented in a single apparatus, or may
be implemented in a network system communicably connected to a
plurality of terminals. In the former case, the user information
and the selection of the layout information may be input to a
single apparatus by a user or a system controller. In the latter
case, a user inputs the user information and the selection of the
layout information to a server terminal for registration in
accordance with the present invention by accessing a client
terminal. The same is true of a digital content delivery system of
claim 3.
[0017] The output layout includes a display layout according to
which the readable information is displayed on a screen, and a
print layout according to which the readable information is printed
on a sheet of paper.
[0018] The produced readable information may be delivered to the
users, or may be stored in storage means so that a user gains an
access thereto through a client terminal.
[0019] A readable information production system of the present
invention recited in claim 2, according to claim 1, further
includes readable information storage means for storing a plurality
of pieces of readable information, wherein the user information
includes information relating to readable information desired by a
user, and wherein, to produce the readable information, the
readable information production system reads, from the layout
information storage means, the information related to the desired
readable information and the layout information corresponding to
the information relating to the desired readable information,
selects the readable information from the readable information
storage means based on the read information relating to the desired
readable information, and determines an output layout for the
selected readable information based on the read layout
information.
[0020] In this arrangement, the information relating to the desired
readable information and the layout information corresponding to
the information relating to the desired readable information are
read from the layout information storage means, and the readable
information is selected from the readable information storage means
based on the read information relating to the desired readable
information. Based on the read layout information, the output
layout is determined for the selected readable information, and the
readable information is thus produced.
[0021] Accordingly, the only readable information relatively close
to the user's satisfaction is laid out. This arrangement reduces
the difficulty of seeing which would be increased if undesired and
unnecessary readable information were laid out together with the
desired one in a mixed fashion. The readable information is thus
output in an easy-to-see layout to the user.
[0022] To achieve the above object, a digital content delivery
system of the present invention recited in claim 3, for delivering
a digital content, includes layout information storage means for
storing a plurality of pieces of layout information relating to an
output layout of the digital content, input means for inputting
user information containing a destination address of the digital
content and a selection of the layout information, registering
means for registering, in the layout information storage means, the
user information input by the input means and the layout
information selected by the input means with the user information
being associated with the layout information, content production
means for producing the digital content by determining the output
layout of the digital content based on the layout information in
the layout information storage means, and content delivery means
for delivering the digital content which is produced by the content
production means in accordance with the destination address
responsive to the layout information used to produce the digital
content in the content production means.
[0023] When the user information and the selection of the layout
information are input by the input means in this arrangement, the
registering means associates the input user information with the
selected layout information. The user information and the layout
information are then stored in the layout information storage
means. The content production means determines the output layout of
the digital content based on the layout information in the layout
information storage means, and produces the digital content. The
content delivery means delivers the produced digital content in
accordance with the destination address corresponding to the layout
information used in the production of the digital content.
[0024] Since the digital content is output in the output layout
relatively close to the user's satisfaction in this way, the system
outputs the digital content in an easy-to-see output layout to the
user.
[0025] The output layout includes a display layout according to
which the digital content is displayed on a screen, and a print
layout according to which the digital content is printed on a sheet
of paper.
[0026] A digital content delivery system of the present invention
recited in claim 4, according to claim 3, further includes content
storage means for storing a plurality of digital contents, wherein
the user information includes content information relating to a
digital content the delivery of which is desired by a user, and
wherein, to produce the digital content, the content production
means reads, from the layout information storage means, the content
information and the layout information corresponding to the content
information, selects the digital content from the content storage
means based on the read content information, and determines an
output layout for the selected digital content based on the read
layout information.
[0027] In this arrangement, the content production means reads the
content information and the layout information corresponding to the
content information from the layout information storage means, and
selects the digital content from the content storage means based on
the read content information. The content production means
determines the output layout for the selected digital content based
on the read layout information, and produces the digital
content.
[0028] Only the digital content relatively close to the user's
satisfaction is laid out. This arrangement reduces the difficulty
of seeing which would be increased if undesired and unnecessary
readable information were laid out together with the desired one in
a mixed fashion. The digital content is thus output in an
easy-to-see layout to the user.
[0029] In a digital content delivery system of the present
invention recited in claim 5, according to one of claims 3 and 4,
the user information contains schedule information relating to a
time band in which a user desires delivery, and the content
delivery means delivers the digital content produced in the content
production means in accordance with the schedule information
corresponding to the layout information used to produce the digital
content in the content production means.
[0030] In this arrangement, the content delivery means delivers the
produced digital content in accordance with the schedule
information corresponding to the layout information used to produce
the digital content in the content production means.
[0031] Since the digital content is thus delivered within the time
band in which the user desires delivery, the system can provide a
delivery service to the user's satisfaction.
[0032] The readable information production system and the digital
content delivery system to achieve the above-referenced object have
been proposed. The present invention is not limited to these
systems. To achieve the above object, the following storage medium
is also contemplated.
[0033] The storage medium stores a computer readable, content
delivery program to be performed by a computer including layout
information storage unit storing a plurality of pieces of layout
information relating to an output layout of a digital content. The
content delivery program is for the process carried by input means
for inputting user information containing a destination address of
the digital content and a selection of the layout information,
registering means for registering, in the layout information
storage means, the user information input by the input means and
the layout information selected by the input means with the user
information being associated with the layout information, content
production means for producing the digital content by determining
the output layout of the digital content based on the layout
information in the layout information storage means, and content
delivery means for delivering the digital content which is produced
by the content production means in accordance with the destination
address responsive to the layout information used to produce the
digital content in the content production means.
[0034] In this arrangement, the content delivery program stored in
the storage medium is installed in the computer, and when the
computer executes the read program, the computer performs the same
operation and the same advantage as those provided by the digital
content delivery system recited in claim 3.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the construction of a
network system implementing the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a content delivery terminal
100.
[0037] FIG. 3 shows a data structure of a user profile table
300.
[0038] FIG. 4 shows a layout definition file and a data structure
of a layout number definition table 330.
[0039] FIG. 5 shows a digital content and a data structure of a
category number definition table 340.
[0040] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing a user registration
process.
[0041] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing a content delivery
process.
[0042] FIG. 8 shows a user ID entry screen.
[0043] FIG. 9 shows a category designation screen.
[0044] FIG. 10 shows a destination address entry screen.
[0045] FIG. 11 shows an output layout designation screen.
[0046] FIG. 12 is a registration content verification screen.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0047] The embodiments of the present invention will now be
discussed, referring to the drawings. FIG. 1 through FIG. 12 show
one embodiment of a readable information production system and a
digital content delivery system of the present invention.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 1, a content delivery terminal 100 delivers
digital contents such as news to a user terminal 200 in the
readable information production system and the digital content
delivery system of the present invention.
[0049] The construction of a network system implementing the
present invention will now be discussed, referring to FIG. 1. FIG.
1 is a block diagram showing the construction of the network system
implementing the present invention.
[0050] Connected to the Internet 199 are a plurality of content
providing terminals S.sub.1-S.sub.n for providing digital contents,
the content delivery terminal 100 for collecting and delivering
digital contents provided by the content providing terminals
S.sub.1-S.sub.n, and the user terminal 200 for providing service to
a user as shown in FIG. 1. Although a single user terminal 200 is
shown for simplicity, a plurality of user terminals are actually
connected to the Internet 199.
[0051] Each of the content providing terminals S.sub.1-S.sub.n,
having the same function of a typically available computer, is
composed of a CPU, an ROM, an RAM, and an I/F, all of these
interconnected through a bus. When the content providing terminal
produces a digital content, the terminal adds a category number to
the digital content to identify a category of the digital content,
and transmits the digital content to the content delivery terminal
100. The category number will be discussed in more detail
later.
[0052] The user terminal 200, having the same function of a
typically available computer, is composed of a CPU, an ROM, an RAM,
and an I/F, all of these interconnected through a bus. The user
terminal 200 is also equipped with a WWW browser, and accesses the
content delivery terminal 100 using the WWW browser.
[0053] The construction of the content delivery terminal 100 will
now be discussed in detail, referring to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a block
diagram showing the construction of the content delivery terminal
100.
[0054] Referring to FIG. 2, the content delivery terminal 100
includes a CPU 30 for performing arithmetic operation and
controlling the entire system based on a control program, an ROM 32
for storing beforehand a control program of the CPU 30 in a
predetermined area thereof, an RAM 34 for storing data read from
the ROM 32 or the like and calculation results required in the
course of the arithmetic operation of the CPU 30, and an I/F 38 for
interfacing with an external device for exchange of data. To
exchange data, these components are mutually interconnected through
a bus 39, as a signal line for transferring data.
[0055] Connected to the I/F 38 are, as external units, a user
information registration data base 40 (data base hereinafter simply
referred to as "DB") for registering user information, a content
registration DB 42, for collecting and storing digital contents
supplied by the content providing terminals S.sub.1-S.sub.n and a
signal line connected to the Internet 199.
[0056] Referring to FIG. 3, the user information registration DB 40
stores a user profile table 300 in which the user information is
registered. FIG. 3 shows a data structure of the user profile table
300.
[0057] The user profile table 300 registers a single or a plurality
of records for each user as shown in FIG. 3. Each record includes a
field 302 for registering a user ID for identifying a user, a field
304 for registering a destination address of a digital content, a
field 306 for registering a category number, a field 308 for
registering a keyword, a field 310 for registering a date of
delivery, a field 312 for registering time of delivery, a field 314
for registering a layout number, a field 316 for registering a
maximum number of pages, and a field 318 for registering a font
size.
[0058] When a digital content containing a keyword designated by a
user is selected as data to be delivered, the field 308 registers
that keyword. The keyword may be the one that seems to appear most
frequently in the news of a category in which the user is
interested. Referring to FIG. 3, a "PROCESSOR" is registered in a
first row of the field 308, and an "OS" is registered in a second
row of the field 308.
[0059] The field 310 registers a date of delivery on which the user
desires the delivery of the digital content. For example, when the
delivery of the digital content is desired everyday, "EVERYDAY" is
designated. When the delivery of the digital content is desired on
a weekday only, a "WEEKDAY" is designated. When the delivery of the
digital content is desired on a weekend only, a "WEEKEND" is
designated. Referring to FIG. 3, "EVERYDAY" is registered in a
first row of the field 310, and a "WEEKDAY" is registered in a
second row of the field 310.
[0060] The field 312 registers the time of delivery of the digital
content on the delivery date designated by the user. As the time of
delivery, one day may be divided into 24 hours from zero hour band
to twenty-third hour band, and any time band may be designated.
Referring to FIG. 3, a fifth hour band is registered in a first row
of the field 312, and an eleventh hour band is registered in a
second row in the field 312.
[0061] The field 314 registers the layout number for identifying
the output layout of the digital content. The layout number
identifies the output layout desired by the user. Referring to FIG.
3, layout number 2 is registered in a first row of the field 314,
and layout number 5 is registered in a second row of the field 314.
The layout number will be discussed in detail later.
[0062] The field 316 registers the maximum number of pages at the
upper limit when the digital content is displayed or printed out.
The maximum number of pages designates the maximum numbers of pages
at the upper limit. Alternatively, the letter "u" may be designated
to set no upper limit. Referring to FIG. 3, "2" pages are
registered in a first row of the field 316, and the letter "u" is
registered in a third row of the field 316.
[0063] The field 318 registers the size of a font when the digital
content is displayed or printed out. Referring to FIG. 3, a "SMALL"
font is registered in a first row of the field 318, and a
"STANDARD" font is registered in a third row of the field 318.
[0064] Referring to FIG. 4, the user information registration DB 40
stores a plurality of layout definition files form01-form06
defining the output layout of the digital contents, and a layout
number definition table 330 for indicating the correspondence
between the layout definition files form01-form06 and the layout
numbers. FIG. 4 shows a data structure of the layout definition
file and the layout number definition table 330.
[0065] Referring to FIG. 4(b), the layout number definition table
330 registers a single record for each layout number. Each record
includes a field 332 for registering the layout number, and a field
334 for registering a file name of the layout definition file. As
shown in FIG. 4(b), a first row record registers "1" as a layout
number, and "form01" as a layout definition file name, and a second
record registers "2" as a layout number and "form02" as a layout
definition file name.
[0066] Referring to FIG. 5, the content registration DB 42 stores a
category number definition table 340 that shows the relationship
between the digital contents supplied from the content providing
terminals S.sub.1-S.sub.n, the main category, the subcategory, and
the category number. FIG. 5 shows the digital contents and the data
structure of the category number definition table 340.
[0067] As shown in FIG. 5(a), the digital contents supplied by the
content providing terminals S.sub.1-S.sub.n are tagged with the
respective category numbers, and the content delivery terminal 100
classifies the digital contents using the category number by
category, and registers the classified digital contents in the
content registration DB 42. When registering, the content delivery
terminal 100 references the category number definition table 340,
and adds the category number, the main category, and the
subcategory to the digital contents.
[0068] Referring to FIG. 5(b), the category number definition table
340 registers a single record in each of the main category and the
subcategory. Each record includes a field 342 for registering a
category number, a field 344 for registering a main category, and a
field 346 for registering a subcategory. As shown in FIG. 5(b), a
first row record registers "1102" as the category number, "WORLD
NEWS" as the main category, and "U.S." as the subcategory, and a
sixth row record registers "2010" as the category number, "SPORTS"
as the main category, and "BASEBALL" as the subcategory.
[0069] The construction of the CPU 30 and the process executed by
the CPU 30 will be discussed referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.
[0070] The CPU 30, composed of a micro processing unit (an MPU),
starts a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of
the ROM 32, and executes a user registration and a content delivery
process in a time sharing manner as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.
[0071] Referring to FIG. 6, the user registration process will
first be discussed in detail. FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing the
user registration process.
[0072] When the user has accessed the system, the user registration
process requests the user to input the user information such as the
user ID, and registers the input user information in the user
profile table 300. When the CPU 30 starts, the process goes to step
S100. Inputting in each of the following steps is performed in an
interactive communication with the user.
[0073] In step S100, the user ID is input. In step S102, the main
category and the subcategory are input. In step S104, the
destination address is input, and in step S106, the date and time
of delivery are input, and the process proceeds to step S108.
[0074] In step S108, the layout number is input, and in step S110,
the maximum number of pages is input. In step S112, a font size is
input. In step S114, the user information input in steps S100
through S112 is registered in the user profile table 300, and a
series of steps have been completed, and the process returns.
[0075] The content delivery process will now be discussed in more
detail referring to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing the
content delivery process.
[0076] The content delivery process delivers the digital content to
the user terminal 200 by referencing the user profile table 300.
Referring to FIG. 7, when the CPU 30 starts, the process proceeds
to step S200. The process of the following steps is performed for
each record of the user profile table 300. In practice, the process
of each step is performed by the number of times equal to the
number of records registered in the user profile table 300.
[0077] In step S200, the date and time of delivery are read from
the user profile table 300. In step S202, the CPU 30 determines,
from the read date and time of delivery, whether it is the date and
time when the digital content must be delivered. When the CPU 30
determines that it is the date and time when the digital content
must be delivered (Yes), the process proceeds to step S204, else
(No) the process returns to step S200.
[0078] In step S204, the CPU 30 reads the category number from the
user profile table 300, and proceeds to step S206. The CPU 30
searches for the digital content in the content registration DB 42
according to the read category number, finds the digital content
having the category number equal to the read category number, and
proceeds to step S208.
[0079] In step S208, the CPU 30 reads the layout number from the
user profile table 300, and proceeds to step S210. Referencing the
layout number definition table 330, the CPU 30 reads, from the user
information registration DB 40, the layout definition file
corresponding to the read layout number. In step S212, based on the
read layout definition file, the CPU 30 performs an automatic
layout process for producing the digital content by determining the
output layout for the digital content searched in step S206. The
process then proceeds to step S214.
[0080] In step S214, the CPU 30 reads the destination address from
the user profile table 300, and proceeds to step S216. The CPU 30
delivers the produced digital content to the read destination
address. After completing this series of steps, the CPU 30
returns.
[0081] The operation of the above embodiment will now be discussed,
referring to FIG. 8 through FIG. 12.
[0082] The registration process for registering information
required to deliver the digital content will now be discussed.
[0083] When the user desires the delivery of a digital content, the
user accesses the content delivery terminal 100 using the WWW
browser on the user terminal 200, and inputs a user registration
request.
[0084] When the user registration request is input, the user
terminal 200 receives screen construction data for forming a user
ID input screen on which the user ID is input, and presents a
screen shown in FIG. 8 based on the screen construction data. FIG.
8 shows the user ID entry screen.
[0085] Referring to FIG. 8, the user enters the user ID and the
password. The user enters the user ID and the password by inputting
numerals and characters in text boxes 500 and 501 using a keyboard,
etc. When the input of the user ID and the password is complete, a
button 502 labeling "ENTER" is clicked.
[0086] When the input of the user ID and the password is complete,
the user terminal 200 transmits the user ID, etc. to the content
delivery terminal 100. In communication with the content delivery
terminal 100, the user terminal 200 receives screen construction
data of a category designate screen for designating a category of
the digital content. Based on the screen construction data, the
user terminal 200 presents a screen shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 9 shows
the category designate screen.
[0087] Referring to FIG. 9, the user can designate up to six
categories of digital contents the delivery of which is desired by
the user. The designation of the category of the digital content
may be performed by selecting a desired category from among combo
boxes 510-515, respectively having categories listed therewithin.
When the inputting of the category is complete, a button 516
"ENTER" is clicked.
[0088] When the designation of the category is complete, the user
terminal 200 transmits the designation of the category to the
content delivery terminal 100. In communication with the content
delivery terminal 100, the user terminal 200 receives screen
construction data of a destination addressentry screen for entering
the destination address,etc. for the digital content, and displays
a screen shown in FIG. 10 based on the screen construction data.
FIG. 10 shows the destination address entry screen.
[0089] Referring to FIG. 10, the user enters the destination
address at which the user desires to receive the delivery, and the
date and time of delivery desired by the user. The user enters the
destination address in numerals and characters,etc. in a text box
520 using a keyboard,etc. The input of the data of delivery may be
performed by selecting "EVERYDAY," "EVERY WEEK," "WEEKEND," and
"WEEKDAY (Monday-Friday)," respectively at option buttons 530-533.
The time of delivery is input by selecting a desired time band from
among combo boxes 540 and 541 registering a list of time bands.
When the input of these pieces of data is complete, a button 542
"ENTER" is clicked.
[0090] When the input of the destination address,etc. is complete,
the user terminal 200 transmits the destination address, etc. to
the content delivery terminal 100. In communication with the
content delivery terminal 100, the user terminal 200 receives
screen construction data of an output layout designating screen for
designating the output layout,etc. of the digital content, and
displays a screen shown in FIG. 11 based on the screen construction
data. FIG. 11 shows the output layout designating screen.
[0091] Referring to FIG. 11, the user designates the layout number,
the maximum number of pages, and the font size. The layout number
is designated by selecting one from six option buttons 550-555
corresponding to sample images laid out in accordance with the
output layouts. The maximum number of pages is designated by
selecting one of option buttons 560-564 respectively corresponding
to the settings of "2 PAGES," "4 PAGES," "6 PAGES,", "8 PAGES," and
"NO UPPER LIMIT." The font size is designated by selecting one from
option buttons 570-572 respectively corresponding to the settings
of "SMALL," "STANDARD," and "LARGE." When the designation of these
settings is complete, a button 573 "ENTER" is clicked.
[0092] When the designation of the output layout,etc. is complete,
the user terminal 200 transmits the designation of the output
layout to the content delivery terminal 100. In communication with
the content delivery terminal 100, the user terminal 200 receives
screen construction data of a registration content verification
screen for verifying the registration content, and displays a
screen shown in FIG. 12 based on the screen construction data. FIG.
12 shows a registration content verification screen.
[0093] Referring to FIG. 12, "SPORTS; GOLF; MARUYAMA," "U.S.; U.S.
TOP NEWS; BUSH" are displayed as categories, "aaa@bbb.com" is
displayed as the destination address, "EVERYDAY," and "5:00 A.M."
are displayed as the date and time of delivery. A sample image laid
out in the output layout is displayed, "4 PAGES" are displayed as
the maximum number of pages, and "SMALL" is displayed as the font
size. When the user finds no error in the content of the
registration, a button 580 "START DELIVERY" is clicked.
[0094] When the verification of the registration content is
complete, the user terminal 200 transmits the delivery start
request to the content delivery terminal 100.
[0095] When the delivery start request is received, the content
delivery terminal 100 registers, in the user profile table 300, the
designation of the content received, and the designation of the
user ID,etc. and the output layout,etc. in step S114. The
designation of the content is registered as the content number
referencing the category number definition table 340. The
designation of the output layout is registered as the layout number
referencing the layout number definition table 330.
[0096] The delivery of the digital content referencing the user
profile table 300 will now be discussed.
[0097] The content delivery terminal 100 references the user
profile table 300. When the content delivery terminal 100
determines that it is the day and time for delivery of the digital
content, the content delivery terminal 100 reads the category
number from the user profile table 300 in steps S204 and S206. The
content delivery terminal 100 searches for the digital content in
the content registration DB 42 based on the read category number,
and retrieves a digital content having a category number equal to
the read category number. In steps S208 through S212, the layout
number is read from the user profile table 300. Referencing the
layout number definition table 330, the content delivery terminal
100 reads the layout definition file corresponding to the read
layout number from the user information registration DB 40. Based
on the layout definition file, the output layout is determined for
the retrieved digital content, and the digital content is thus
produced in accordance with the output layout.
[0098] In steps S214 and S216, the destination address is read from
the user profile table 300, and the produced digital content is
delivered to the read destination address.
[0099] In this embodiment, the content delivery terminal 100
includes a user information registration DB 40 storing a plurality
of layout definition files. When the user information including the
destination address and the selection of the output layout are
input, the input user information and the selected layout
definition file are associated with each other before being
registered in the user information registration DB 40. The output
layout of the digital content is determined based on the layout
definition file in the user information registration DB 40. The
digital content is then produced in accordance with the output
layout. The produced digital content is delivered to the
destination address in association with the layout definition file
used to produce the digital content.
[0100] Since the digital content is thus output in the output
layout relatively close to the user's satisfaction in this way, the
digital content is output in an easiertosee output layout to the
user than in the conventional art.
[0101] In this embodiment, the content delivery terminal 100
includes the content registration DB 42 storing a plurality of
digital contents. The content delivery terminal 100 reads the
content number and the layout definition file relative to the
content number from the user information registration DB 40,
selects the digital content from the content registration DB 42
based on the read content number, determines the output layout of
the selected digital content based on the read layout definition
file, and produces the output digital content.
[0102] Only the readable information relatively close to the user's
satisfaction is laid out. This arrangement reduces the difficulty
of seeing which would be increased if undesired and unnecessary
readable information were laid out together with the desired one in
a mixed fashion. The readable information is thus output in an
easy-to-see layout to the user.
[0103] In this embodiment, the content delivery terminal 100
delivers the produced digital content in accordance with the date
and time of delivery specified by the layout definition file.
[0104] Since the digital content is thus delivered within the time
band in which the user desires delivery, the system can provide a
delivery service to the user's satisfaction.
[0105] In this embodiment, the digital content corresponds to the
readable information stated in claim 1, the layout definition file
corresponds to the layout information stated in claim 1 through
claim 5, the content number corresponds to the content information
stated in claim 4, and the date and time of delivery correspond to
the schedule information stated in claim 5. The user information
registration DB 40 corresponds to the layout information storage
means stated in claim 1 through claim 4, steps S100-S112 correspond
to the input means in claim 3, step S114 corresponds to the
registering means stated in claim 3, step S212 corresponds to the
content production means stated in claim 3 through claim 5, and
step S216 corresponds to the content delivery means stated in
claims 3 or 5.
[0106] In the above-referenced embodiment, the process shown in the
flow diagrams in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 is performed by executing a
control program stored beforehand in the ROM 32. The present
invention is not limited to this. Before being executed, the
process shown in the flow diagrams in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 may be
performed by reading, from a storage medium, a software program of
the process into the RAM 34. The software program may be downloaded
from a network.
[0107] The storage medium may be a semiconductor storage medium
such as an RAM, an ROM, etc, a magnetic storage medium such as a
FD, an HD, etc, an optical storage readable medium such as a CD, a
CDV, an LD, a DVD, etc., or a magnetooptical storage readable
medium such as an MO, etc. The storage medium is thus any computer
readable storage medium that permits data to be read
electronically, magnetically, or optically.
[0108] In the above embodiment, the readable information production
system and the digital content delivery system of the present
invention are implemented in a network system such as the Internet
199. The present invention is not limited to this arrangement.
Alternatively, the present invention may be applied to a so-called
intranet that performs the same communication as that of the
Internet 199. The present invention is not limited to a network
that performs the same communication method as that of the Internet
199, and may be applied to an ordinary network.
[0109] In the readable information production system and the
digital content delivery system of the above embodiment of the
present invention, the user terminal 200 delivers digital contents
such as news to the content delivery terminal 100 as shown in FIG.
1. The present invention is not limited to this arrangement, and
may be applied to other system configuration without departing from
the scope and spirit of the present invention.
[0110] As discussed above, in the readable information production
system recited in one of claims 1 and 2 of this specification, the
readable information is output in the output layout relatively
close to the user's satisfaction, the readable information is
output in an easy-to-see output layout to the user compared with
the conventional art.
[0111] In the readable information production system of claim 2 of
the specification, only the readable information relatively close
to the user's satisfaction is laid out. This arrangement reduces
the difficulty of seeing which would be increased if undesired and
unnecessary readable information were laid out together with the
desired one in a mixed fashion. The readable information is thus
output in an easy-to-see output layout to the user.
[0112] In the digital content delivery system of one of claims 3
through 5 of the specification, the digital content is thus output
in the output layout relatively close to the user's satisfaction in
this way, the digital content is thus output in an easier-to-see
manner than in the conventional art.
[0113] In the digital content delivery system of claim 4 of the
specification, only the digital content relatively close to the
user's satisfaction is laid out. This arrangement reduces the
difficulty of seeing which would be increased if undesired and
unnecessary readable information were laid out together with the
desired one in a mixed fashion. The digital content is thus output
in an easy-to-see output layout to the user.
[0114] In the digital content delivery system of claim 5 of the
specification, the digital content is thus delivered within the
time band in which the user desires delivery, and the system can
provide a delivery service to the user's satisfaction, compared
with the conventional art.
* * * * *